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When a disaster happens, disaster sites are set up to assist people with their immediate needs. Psychologists go to these sites to assist people with their emotional needs-to provide Psychological First Aid. They provide help by talking to people and answering questions they may have about their situation. They may also help people understand their emotions and reassure them that their emotions are normal.
Specifically, what do psychologists do when they offer support at a disaster site? Here are a few duties they may fulfill:
*Listen! It's what psychologists do best, and it's one thing that people really need after being in a disaster: someone to listen to them. Psychologists listen as people talk about their experience and their concerns for the future. They may even listen as people talk about concerns outside the realm of the disaster, such as the recent death of a loved one or the loss of a job. The combination of a disaster and another major life stressor can be especially hard for people to handle.
*Help people in dealing with their immediate living conditions. Psychologists may help people get used to living in a shelter for the present time and they may provide information about other places to go to get food, clothes, and medical care. They may provide direct assistance in helping people meet their physical needs.
*Help people develop resilience. Psychologists may use relaxation techniques or just talk to people and help them cope with their situation. They may educate people on the normal reactions to disasters and help people understand their own reactions. They also may help people solve conflicts within themselves or with others at the disaster site.
*Psychologists may help people develop a recovery plan for themselves and their families. A recovery plan may include developing a new support system or reaching out to a current support system, and making plans for where people are going to live, work, and where children are going to go to school.
*Psychologists may work with children to help them cope with what's going on. Since children may have very different reactions than adults, psychologists can help them manage their stress and determine if they need professional help in the long run.
*Lastly, psychologists provide the necessary information for seeking long-term psychological assistance after the disaster is over if and when people need it.
Does one have to be a licensed mental health professional to provide psychological first aid? Absolutely not! Interested individuals can obtain training in Psychological First Aid from the American Red Cross or from their local Medical Reserve Corp to name just two organizations who provide such training. Then you will be able to deploy with your Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD) of choice as a mental health volunteer. To obtain an overview of just what is Psychological First Aid download the Field Operation Guide from the National Center for PTSD. You can find it here.
